MOVIE REVIEWS … PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES

 

After the reception afforded its last entry it seemed the Pirates of the Caribbean series was finished.  With two sequels unfurling the good will directed to the first outing, little enthusiasm was shown for a fourth.  Time can be a great healer and it appears the excitement level has increased in Pirates 4 with a mix of old and new cast re-energizing a flailing franchise.  Fourth time is the charm as it returns to what made the series popular by bringing back the fun missing from previous instalments.

Still sailing the seven seas in search of adventure, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) meets old flame Angelica (Penelope Cruz).  Wise in the ways of con-artistry, she uses Jack’s infatuation to help in her quest to find the fountain of youth.  After being forced onto Blackbeard’s (Ian McShane) ship, the duo encounter a swarm of mermaids, zombies and old foes making Sparrow wonder whether walking the plank would be the safer option.

Although Pirates 4 doesn’t match the original in terms of quirky freshness, it’s much better than the bloated sequels.  Due almost entirely to Rob Marshall’s energetic direction and simple plot, this accessibility allows for a more enjoyable ride.  From its silly carry on in England to running amok in the Spanish jungles, there’s much to divert attention.  The cast know the routine by now with the new additions blending seamlessly into the mythology.  The special effects are spectacular as always although, unlike previously, they don’t overwhelm the ongoing escapades.

Occasionally momentum becomes a little lost but overall Pirates 4 consistently engages.  It’s interesting how this series has put a supernatural spin onto the usual pirate motif, with the inventiveness in conveying these plus some dazzling action sequences easily capturing the imagination.  These films are meant to embody a sense of fun in which this latest chapter succeeds.  Those wondering if they have to endure the sequels to see this needn’t worry as the story is set before the first film and stands on its own merits with creative flair.

It’s great seeing the producers have admitted their failings by ensuring Pirates 4 mostly matches the frenetic energy of the first.  With a fifth outing assured, it seems there’s some life left in a franchise which has lifted itself out of its self-induced water-logged quagmire.

Movie Review Rating 7 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

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Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.

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